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Barcelona’s rooftops stretching to the sea, framed by the spires of the Sagrada Família

Spain · Catalonia’s Capital

Barcelona

Gaudí’s fantastical buildings, a medieval old town and a city beach, all wrapped in Catalan food and late nights. Explore it your way, with skip-the-line tickets and private guides arranged by our Spain specialists.

Plan My Barcelona Trip Things to do in Barcelona ↓
  • 7 Gaudí works on the UNESCO list
  • 1882 Sagrada Família begun
  • 2.5 hrs by train from Madrid

Hassle-Free Dream Travel!

Google ★★★★★ 5.0 · 601 reviews
Patricia DiMichele
★★★★★
I would not have been able to take this trip to Spain with my sons without CeCe's thorough planning. She guided me through all the planning decisions that needed to be made, made all the necessary arrangements and reservations and then helped us when we had some travel issues while we were there. Most importantly she listened to what we wanted and designed the trip around that. And everything we needed on the trip was easily accessed by all of us on the Axus app!
Jim Kelly
★★★★★
Jordan Hall and the Travel Byrds team did a fantastic job helping us plan and execute our recent trip to Octoberfest, Dolomites, Lake Como, and Tuscany. Jordan is very knowledgeable and organized, and guided us all the way through the process. I highly recommend Jordan and her team, and we will definitely use her for all future trips.
Jennifer Polito
★★★★★
Thank you so much to Kika for setting up our vacation and taking all the headache out of getting us ready to go. We love working with you every time and we appreciate you so much!
Jennjfer Metz
★★★★★
Christina was amazing. She was always available for questions or concerns both before and during our trip to Greece. She and her team made sure our trip was exactly what we wanted. We were able to cancel an adventure with no problem while we were already on our vacation. Our trip was so awesome due to Christina and her team! We will use Travel Byrds again!
Sally Purdy
★★★★★
Monica Bowen, from Travel Byrds provided excellent service for our trip to Ireland and Scotland. Everything was perfect from all our hotels and one vrbo/airbnb to the most fabulous driver Loraine Doyle! All the activities we chose to partake in from her numerous suggestions were fabulous! Thank you!
Heidi Loughran
★★★★★
We laid out an idea of a trip to Ireland for a week and then on to Italy for a week. Alex took it from there! She booked our flights, our transfers, our excursions, our hotels, our rental car. She conferred with us every step of the way. She kept within our budget. She had tips and travel wisdom we would have never known on our own. She was completely available for any questions we had even while on our trip. Our excursions were Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse (it was sold out on arrival but we had booked ahead at Alex’s recommendation!) We saw Connemara and Killarney National Park, Kylemore Abbey, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Cork, Blarney Castle. All went without a hitch. In Italy she booked an all day boat ride on the Amalfi Coast that was exquisite. She booked St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, Vatican museum, colosseum, forum Palantine Hill in Rome with passes that took us to the front of the line, a rental car to drive to Lanciano and the Adriatic. She booked our trains to Rome and Florence. She booked the Uffizi in Florence and a wine tour in Tuscany. All the tickets are held in one place on the Travel Byrds app that you don’t need Wi-Fi to pull up. No scrambling to find tickets. Recommendations and information about each site is provided. Each hotel she booked was absolutely lovely with incredible service. We could not have found these places on our own. I will never travel again without Alex. I want to shout it from the rooftops! You will save money, save headaches and see things, experience the world far better than if you try it on your own! Thank you Alex for your travel wisdom, kindness, and for making our dream come true!
Mary Foster
★★★★★
I met Christina (CeCe) when I joined a group to travel to Madagascar and the Seychelles recently. The trip was action packed, well paced, and entirely enjoyable. CeCe was on the ball each and every day to handle the needs of our group. The accommodations, tour guides, experiences and restaurants she arranged included many local places we visited and allowed us to immerse ourselves in the local cultures and people. It was an unforgettable trip and I will never forget CeCe and all she did for all of us (especially me and my travel partner!). She is a treasure and knows what she's doing!
Loren Wray
★★★★★
Excellent service for folks who love to vacation but hate the details involved. My travel bird researched and booked my entire vacation leaving me to simply show up and enjoy! The price of the service also, cannot be beat. I strongly recommend Erika and Travel Byrds.
Ryan Myers
★★★★★
We used Travel Byrds for the first time this summer to help plan a family trip to Italy and Tera was wonderful! She really took the time to listen to our needs and was patient as we inevitably made several changes to our plan. The trip was amazing and her help did not end when we left. I would highly recommend Tera and the Travel Byrds!
Lauren Merrill
★★★★★
Ashley was amazing to work with while planning our honeymoon! We felt super safe while getting to our resort with the private transportation she booked and we stayed at a beautiful resort that was perfect for us! We highly recommend Ashley!
Melissa Brown
★★★★★
I had never worked with a travel advisor before and wasn't sure what to expect. From my first conversation with Ashley, I immediately felt comfortable. She listened to what I wanted, gave me different options and helped me work through them without making anything feel overwhelming. Once we decided, she handled EVERYTHING. I didn't realize how much time and stress goes into planning a trip until I didn't have to do it myself! No hours of research, comparing endless options, nervously double-checking reservations or keeping track of confirmation numbers. Ashley handled it all, and everything we needed while traveling was organized right in the app. I'm honestly kicking myself for not using a travel advisor sooner. The entire experience was so much easier, and I can't wait to work with her again.
Carina Brown
★★★★★
Our Asheville girls trip was the perfect combination of nature, great food and beautiful scenery. Ashley built the itinerary around exactly what we wanted. We ziplined through the fall foliage, explored the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiked trails that matched our abilities, toured the Biltmore and took in the views from Chimney Rock. She also found amazing local restaurants and handled our reservations. Watching the sunset over the mountains during dinner at the Omni Grove Park Inn was unforgettable. The best part was never having to ask, "What do you want to do today?" Everything was thoughtfully planned, but we still had the freedom to enjoy the trip at our own pace. We could just be present and enjoy our vacation instead of spending it figuring out what to do next.
Cindy Keys
★★★★★
Gina Radar agent and Travel Byrds did an exceptional job making sure everything worked seamlessly during my recent trip to Italy/Greece. Personalized service and worry free! I highly recommend Gina and Travel Byrds!
Alli M
★★★★★
Tera and Flora were absolutely amazing to work with! We could not have had a better experience with them and the amazing trip they planned for us! I wish I could give more than 5 stars. They helped us plan our Honeymoon to Italy and through their app they have everything laid out for you along with guidance and advice depending on where you are going! They were very adaptive to any alternatives we wanted to make and were so quick to make bookings for us. Highly highly recommend Travel Byrds for a perfectly planned trip!!
Kim Kaas
★★★★★
Maggie did it again!! A trip to Hawaii should not be considered without Maggie and Travel Byrds to assist with making it a trip you will never forget! Thank you for helping us create memories to last a lifetime!
Ariyah Robinson
★★★★★
Jeffrei did a wonderful job planning my birthday trip! She gave us wonderful recommendations for Cancun. She listened to our preferences and found us the perfect resort fit within our budget!
Shannon Housley
★★★★★
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Erin at The Travel Birds! This was my first time ever using a travel agent, and as someone who is admittedly a bit of a control freak when it comes to travel, handing over the planning was a big deal for me. I typically spend hours researching and planning every detail of our trips myself. But when we decided to spend 12 days traveling through Ireland—and I knew I would also be driving—I started feeling a little overwhelmed trying to coordinate the itinerary, accommodations, transportation, and all of the details that go along with a trip like this. That’s when Erin stepped in, and I am SO glad she did. She took care of everything and planned an absolutely wonderful vacation for us while staying within our budget. It was such a relief knowing that all of the details had been thought through and taken care of, and I was actually able to look forward to the trip instead of stressing over planning it. Erin was incredible to work with, and the entire experience completely changed my mind about using a travel agent. I would 100% recommend Erin and The Travel Birds to anyone planning a vacation—especially if you want someone you can trust to handle the details and make the process easy. I can confidently say I’m officially converted! Erin and The Travel Birds will be planning our future vacations from here on out. ❤️✈️
Patricia DiMichele
★★★★★
I would not have been able to take this trip to Spain with my sons without CeCe's thorough planning. She guided me through all the planning decisions that needed to be made, made all the necessary arrangements and reservations and then helped us when we had some travel issues while we were there. Most importantly she listened to what we wanted and designed the trip around that. And everything we needed on the trip was easily accessed by all of us on the Axus app!
Jim Kelly
★★★★★
Jordan Hall and the Travel Byrds team did a fantastic job helping us plan and execute our recent trip to Octoberfest, Dolomites, Lake Como, and Tuscany. Jordan is very knowledgeable and organized, and guided us all the way through the process. I highly recommend Jordan and her team, and we will definitely use her for all future trips.
Jennifer Polito
★★★★★
Thank you so much to Kika for setting up our vacation and taking all the headache out of getting us ready to go. We love working with you every time and we appreciate you so much!
Jennjfer Metz
★★★★★
Christina was amazing. She was always available for questions or concerns both before and during our trip to Greece. She and her team made sure our trip was exactly what we wanted. We were able to cancel an adventure with no problem while we were already on our vacation. Our trip was so awesome due to Christina and her team! We will use Travel Byrds again!
Sally Purdy
★★★★★
Monica Bowen, from Travel Byrds provided excellent service for our trip to Ireland and Scotland. Everything was perfect from all our hotels and one vrbo/airbnb to the most fabulous driver Loraine Doyle! All the activities we chose to partake in from her numerous suggestions were fabulous! Thank you!
Heidi Loughran
★★★★★
We laid out an idea of a trip to Ireland for a week and then on to Italy for a week. Alex took it from there! She booked our flights, our transfers, our excursions, our hotels, our rental car. She conferred with us every step of the way. She kept within our budget. She had tips and travel wisdom we would have never known on our own. She was completely available for any questions we had even while on our trip. Our excursions were Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse (it was sold out on arrival but we had booked ahead at Alex’s recommendation!) We saw Connemara and Killarney National Park, Kylemore Abbey, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Cork, Blarney Castle. All went without a hitch. In Italy she booked an all day boat ride on the Amalfi Coast that was exquisite. She booked St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, Vatican museum, colosseum, forum Palantine Hill in Rome with passes that took us to the front of the line, a rental car to drive to Lanciano and the Adriatic. She booked our trains to Rome and Florence. She booked the Uffizi in Florence and a wine tour in Tuscany. All the tickets are held in one place on the Travel Byrds app that you don’t need Wi-Fi to pull up. No scrambling to find tickets. Recommendations and information about each site is provided. Each hotel she booked was absolutely lovely with incredible service. We could not have found these places on our own. I will never travel again without Alex. I want to shout it from the rooftops! You will save money, save headaches and see things, experience the world far better than if you try it on your own! Thank you Alex for your travel wisdom, kindness, and for making our dream come true!
Mary Foster
★★★★★
I met Christina (CeCe) when I joined a group to travel to Madagascar and the Seychelles recently. The trip was action packed, well paced, and entirely enjoyable. CeCe was on the ball each and every day to handle the needs of our group. The accommodations, tour guides, experiences and restaurants she arranged included many local places we visited and allowed us to immerse ourselves in the local cultures and people. It was an unforgettable trip and I will never forget CeCe and all she did for all of us (especially me and my travel partner!). She is a treasure and knows what she's doing!
Loren Wray
★★★★★
Excellent service for folks who love to vacation but hate the details involved. My travel bird researched and booked my entire vacation leaving me to simply show up and enjoy! The price of the service also, cannot be beat. I strongly recommend Erika and Travel Byrds.
Ryan Myers
★★★★★
We used Travel Byrds for the first time this summer to help plan a family trip to Italy and Tera was wonderful! She really took the time to listen to our needs and was patient as we inevitably made several changes to our plan. The trip was amazing and her help did not end when we left. I would highly recommend Tera and the Travel Byrds!
Lauren Merrill
★★★★★
Ashley was amazing to work with while planning our honeymoon! We felt super safe while getting to our resort with the private transportation she booked and we stayed at a beautiful resort that was perfect for us! We highly recommend Ashley!
Melissa Brown
★★★★★
I had never worked with a travel advisor before and wasn't sure what to expect. From my first conversation with Ashley, I immediately felt comfortable. She listened to what I wanted, gave me different options and helped me work through them without making anything feel overwhelming. Once we decided, she handled EVERYTHING. I didn't realize how much time and stress goes into planning a trip until I didn't have to do it myself! No hours of research, comparing endless options, nervously double-checking reservations or keeping track of confirmation numbers. Ashley handled it all, and everything we needed while traveling was organized right in the app. I'm honestly kicking myself for not using a travel advisor sooner. The entire experience was so much easier, and I can't wait to work with her again.
Carina Brown
★★★★★
Our Asheville girls trip was the perfect combination of nature, great food and beautiful scenery. Ashley built the itinerary around exactly what we wanted. We ziplined through the fall foliage, explored the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiked trails that matched our abilities, toured the Biltmore and took in the views from Chimney Rock. She also found amazing local restaurants and handled our reservations. Watching the sunset over the mountains during dinner at the Omni Grove Park Inn was unforgettable. The best part was never having to ask, "What do you want to do today?" Everything was thoughtfully planned, but we still had the freedom to enjoy the trip at our own pace. We could just be present and enjoy our vacation instead of spending it figuring out what to do next.
Cindy Keys
★★★★★
Gina Radar agent and Travel Byrds did an exceptional job making sure everything worked seamlessly during my recent trip to Italy/Greece. Personalized service and worry free! I highly recommend Gina and Travel Byrds!
Alli M
★★★★★
Tera and Flora were absolutely amazing to work with! We could not have had a better experience with them and the amazing trip they planned for us! I wish I could give more than 5 stars. They helped us plan our Honeymoon to Italy and through their app they have everything laid out for you along with guidance and advice depending on where you are going! They were very adaptive to any alternatives we wanted to make and were so quick to make bookings for us. Highly highly recommend Travel Byrds for a perfectly planned trip!!
Kim Kaas
★★★★★
Maggie did it again!! A trip to Hawaii should not be considered without Maggie and Travel Byrds to assist with making it a trip you will never forget! Thank you for helping us create memories to last a lifetime!
Ariyah Robinson
★★★★★
Jeffrei did a wonderful job planning my birthday trip! She gave us wonderful recommendations for Cancun. She listened to our preferences and found us the perfect resort fit within our budget!
Shannon Housley
★★★★★
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Erin at The Travel Birds! This was my first time ever using a travel agent, and as someone who is admittedly a bit of a control freak when it comes to travel, handing over the planning was a big deal for me. I typically spend hours researching and planning every detail of our trips myself. But when we decided to spend 12 days traveling through Ireland—and I knew I would also be driving—I started feeling a little overwhelmed trying to coordinate the itinerary, accommodations, transportation, and all of the details that go along with a trip like this. That’s when Erin stepped in, and I am SO glad she did. She took care of everything and planned an absolutely wonderful vacation for us while staying within our budget. It was such a relief knowing that all of the details had been thought through and taken care of, and I was actually able to look forward to the trip instead of stressing over planning it. Erin was incredible to work with, and the entire experience completely changed my mind about using a travel agent. I would 100% recommend Erin and The Travel Birds to anyone planning a vacation—especially if you want someone you can trust to handle the details and make the process easy. I can confidently say I’m officially converted! Erin and The Travel Birds will be planning our future vacations from here on out. ❤️✈️

Meet the city

The Barcelona Highlights

Gaudí is only the beginning. Tap through to explore the landmarks that make Barcelona one of Europe’s favorite cities.

The ornate stone spires of the Sagrada Família against a blue sky

Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece

Work on the basilica began in 1882 and Antoni Gaudí devoted more than 40 years of his life to it. More than a century later it is still rising, and its forest-like interior, washed in stained-glass light, is unlike any church on earth.

Timed tickets sell out, especially for the towers. We book them ahead with a private guide who brings the symbolism of each façade to life.

Begun
1882
Gaudí’s work
1883 until his death in 1926
UNESCO
Nativity façade and crypt, 2005
The mosaic serpentine bench and gingerbread-style pavilions at Park Güell

A hillside garden of mosaics

Built between 1900 and 1914, Park Güell was planned as a garden city and became one of Gaudí’s most playful works, with its famous mosaic lizard, wavy bench and views over the city to the sea.

Entry to the Monumental Zone is by timed ticket. Early morning brings soft light and far fewer people.

  • Timed tickets arranged for you
  • Best visited first thing in the morning
  • Pair with a stroll through the Gràcia neighborhood
The sculpted chimneys on the rooftop of Casa Milà, La Pedrera

Modernisme on Passeig de Gràcia

Barcelona’s grandest boulevard is lined with Modernista buildings. Casa Batlló shimmers with ceramic scales and bone-like balconies, while Casa Milà, known as La Pedrera, rolls like a stone cliff topped with warrior-like chimneys.

We like to visit the rooftops at sunset, then stay for dinner in the Eixample, one of the city’s best dining districts.

  • Casa Batlló and La Pedrera with reserved entry
  • Evening rooftop visits
  • Boutique shopping on the boulevard
A tree-lined Barcelona street with ornate apartment buildings and a red bike lane

Barcelona’s elegant grid

The Eixample was laid out in the 19th century with wide streets and chamfered corners that give it its airy feel. It’s home to many of the city’s best hotels, restaurants and Modernista façades.

It makes an ideal base: central, walkable and just a short ride from the Gothic Quarter and the beach.

  • Many of our favorite hotels
  • Walkable to Gaudí’s houses
  • Excellent restaurants and wine bars
Barcelona’s Port Vell marina and seafront seen from above

Marinas, beaches and seafood

Barcelona has several kilometers of city beaches, from lively Barceloneta to quieter stretches further north. The old harbor, Port Vell, is lined with yachts and seafood restaurants.

Head up Montjuïc for views back over the port, or sail along the coast on a private catamaran.

  • Private sailing at sunset
  • Seafood and paella by the sea
  • Montjuïc cable car and gardens

In the city and beyond

Things to Do in and Around Barcelona

Filter by what you love, then tap “Read more” for our insider tips.

The Gothic Quarter & El Born

Lose yourself in medieval lanes around the cathedral, then cross into El Born for Santa Maria del Mar and the Picasso Museum.

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We pair the old town with a private guide who knows its hidden squares and Roman walls, and finish with vermouth in a local bodega.

Palau de la Música Catalana

A UNESCO-listed concert hall with a dazzling stained-glass skylight. See it on a tour or, better still, at an evening concert.

Montjuïc & the Miró Foundation

The hill above the port is home to gardens, the Joan Miró Foundation and the National Art Museum of Catalonia.

La Boqueria & a tapas tour

Barcelona’s famous market sits just off La Rambla. Explore it with a local guide, then hop between tapas bars in El Born and Gràcia.

Read moreShow less

Our favorite tours are small and private, with tastings of jamón, cheeses, anchovies and cava along the way.

Cava in the Penedès

Spain’s sparkling-wine country is about an hour from the city. Tour historic cellars and family estates, with lunch among the vines.

Montserrat

A Benedictine monastery set among jagged mountain peaks about an hour away, home to the Black Madonna and a famous boys’ choir.

Read moreShow less

Go early to hear the Escolania choir (on scheduled days) and ride the rack railway or cable car for the views.

Girona & the Dalí Museum

Medieval Girona and Salvador Dalí’s surreal Theatre-Museum in Figueres make a perfect day north of the city.

The Costa Brava & Sitges

Head north for the coves and fishing villages of the Costa Brava, or south to the beaches and old town of Sitges.

Know before you go

How to Do Barcelona Well

A few local habits and booking tips make all the difference. Here’s how we plan an easy, unhurried stay.

Tickets

Book the big sights early

The Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Gaudí’s houses use timed tickets. For spring and summer, we reserve them as soon as your dates are set.

Timing

Eat like a local

Lunch is usually from 2 pm and dinner from 9 pm. Many of the best restaurants don’t open for dinner before 8:30 pm.

Where to stay

Eixample or the waterfront

The Eixample is central and elegant, the Gothic Quarter is atmospheric, and the waterfront is perfect for beach lovers.

Getting around

Walk, ride or be driven

The center is very walkable and the metro is easy. For day trips, we arrange private drivers and guides.

Language

Catalan and Spanish

Both are official here. A friendly “bon dia” (good morning in Catalan) is always appreciated.

Safety

Mind your bags

Barcelona is safe, but pickpockets work busy areas like La Rambla and the metro. Keep valuables close.

Work with One of Our Travel Experts

Hire a Travel Agent Today!

The average person takes over 11 hours researching their vacation. Take that time back and let us handle the nitty gritty of reading reviews, asking questions, comparing hotels and more.

The Alhambra palace in Granada at sunset with the Sierra Nevada behind

After a true deep dive into your requests, your travel agent will come back with a variety of suggested hotels, activities, and surprise experiences. You tell us which ones fit you best and we'll work through the logistics!

Barcelona’s rooftops stretching to the sea, framed by the spires of the Sagrada Família

You'll be equipped with an itinerary complete with the details of your trip. If anything happens along the way, you can relax knowing your travel agent will take care of everything!

Sailboats anchored in the turquoise water of Cala Macarella, Menorca

Good to know

Barcelona FAQs

How many days do I need in Barcelona?

Three to four days covers Gaudí’s highlights, the Gothic Quarter and a beach afternoon. Add a day or two for Montserrat, the Costa Brava or the Penedès.

When is the best time to visit Barcelona?

May, June and September bring warm days and sea swimming with fewer crowds than July and August. See our best time to visit Spain guide for more.

Do I need to book the Sagrada Família in advance?

Yes. Tickets are timed and often sell out days or weeks ahead, especially for tower access. We reserve them with your itinerary.

How do I get from Madrid to Barcelona?

The high-speed train takes about two and a half hours city center to city center, and is usually easier than flying.

Is Barcelona good for families?

Very. Kids love Park Güell, the beaches, the aquarium and Montjuïc’s cable car. We’ll pace your days and pick family-friendly hotels.

Your Dream Spain Getaway

Barcelona is a feast of Gaudí, Catalan cooking and Mediterranean beaches. Tell us about the trip you’re dreaming of, and one of our Spain specialists will start designing it with you.

  • A tailor-made itinerary, designed around you
  • Tickets, guides and transfers handled
  • Hand-picked hotels with exclusive perks

Start Planning Your Tailor-Made Trip by Contacting One of Our Spain Specialists

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